Is This Ok For Multies Set Up

[kjb66]

Hi thinking of setting up a tank for some shell dwellers(6 multi`s)just wondering if i will have to buffer up my ph.I am getting a reading of around 7.8,would i be right in thinking this will go up a little when shells are added?
The tank size is 48 x12x12,which is already cycled just cleared out stock,i have playsand substrate and a slate wall at the back of tank which contains loads of caves,as i was thinking of adding 2 julidochromis transcriptus or 2 cyprichomis leptosoms(sorry if spellings are incorrect).I already have a bristle nose in the tank im hoping it will be ok to keep him in there.I was hoping to have maybe 6 multis do you think that is to many,or can i have more? and would i be able to have only one male?
any advice would be great

thanks Karl
ps also
gh is 17
kh is 9
all other readings are ok

 

[darrel69]

Hi thinking of setting up a tank for some shell dwellers(6 multi`s)just wondering if i will have to buffer up my ph.I am getting a reading of around 7.8,would i be right in thinking this will go up a little when shells are added?
The tank size is 48 x12x12,which is already cycled just cleared out stock,i have playsand substrate and a slate wall at the back of tank which contains loads of caves,as i was thinking of adding 2 julidochromis transcriptus or 2 cyprichomis leptosoms(sorry if spellings are incorrect).I already have a bristle nose in the tank im hoping it will be ok to keep him in there.I was hoping to have maybe 6 multis do you think that is to many,or can i have more? and would i be able to have only one male?
any advice would be great

thanks Karl
ps also
gh is 17
kh is 9
all other readings are ok

Hi, i dont get what you mean by "6 multi's" ?? do you by having 6 fish ?? If so, i think you'd beable to have more ...

A pH of 7.8 should be fine... and i think that shells only start to harden the water if the pH falls below 7.8.

My first thought on the bristlenose was ... Big fish - Tiny fish lol, will it mistake the shell dwellers for food ?? Im not sure ?? ... but i dont think they're meat eaters are they ?? i dont have much experince with catfish/plecs.

Btw ... your gh seems pretty high, is that straight out the tap ?

 

[kjb66]

Hi thanks for reply yes i meant 6 fish(Lamprologus multifasciatus)and yes my gh is 17 straight out of the tap,but test kit is a couple of years old but im sure it was that when i tested it before.I hope the bristle nose will be ok hes never eaten a fish yet and has been in with very small fish.
more info appreciated
thanks

 

[Colin_T]

if the multifasciata are captive bred they should be fine in water with that PH but it should be a bit higher if possible. If they are wild caught fish then it needs to be higher.
The shells should mincrease the pH a bit.
Find out what the PH is from the person you are buying them from and match your PH to theirs.

The other fish you want to keep with them are fine, however, I would try to get a group of Leptosoma because they are a schooling fish.

 

[kjb66]

Thanks for advice colin,do you see a problem with the bristle nose plec,also should i have just the one male multifasciata?
thanks

 

[Colin_T]

a bristlenose should be fine in the tank
A 4ft tank is big enough for a couple of male multifasciatas and a group fo females. The males can have half the tank each and the females can cruise around wherever they want. you could even have 3prs.

 

[kjb66]

Thanks for advice colin,i just hope i can find the fish im after,im going on the hunt for them today,will let you know how i get on.
thanks Karl

 

[kjb66]

I set out to buy 6 multifasciatus,but when i got to the shop spotted some Lamprologus ocellatus "Gold" and they looked lovely,so that was it,they were mine.I bought 6 of them not sure on the male/female ratio but the dealer said he thought there were 2 males.I also bought 4 julidochromis transcriptus,i have about 17 very big apple snail shells in the tank,just hoping they all get on well together
thanks for all the help
karl

 

[Colin_T]

they should get along fine.
The Julidochromis transciptus are a nice fish. Any idea what location they are from?
I use half flower pots & limestone caves for my Julidochromis

 

[kjb66]

no sorry Colin i didnt ask what location they came from.

 

[Breedon]

I have a group of 8 Lamprologus occellatus "Gold" been in the tank for about 3 weeks and have started to pair off I believe I have 2 males and the rest females but could be wrong.

They Will attack your hand and will have a good go at it at well lol so they would make great parents as 1 pair was attacking my brichardi until she left there area.

I’m glad I got them they also use all the upper levels of the tank.

 

[MojoDex]

ok 7.8 ph is just fine for multies, they breed so readily that i feel 100% confident in saying your WILL be captive bred.

really it does not matter how many multies you start with. i started with 3 originally that number soon became 60 they moved to a bigger tank, then in the bigger tank that number became closer to 200. so now there in an even bigger tank and there breeding again!

multies are the most tolerant cichlid i have ever seen they may do a bit of flaring at each other but its never much to worry about. i estimate i have some 250 in my tank now and there still breeding!!

also in my main tanganyika tank i have school of 27 cyprichromis leptosoma these are also a very peaceful and tolerant fish that again will breed like wild fire for you, although that said they can and will eat there own fry if they get chance (and the same will apply for any multi fry they see)

if you wish to leptosoma to breed they will require a rock pile (this is where they will spit there fry). also be prepared for them to be a very boring grey colour untill the males start to colour up (around 2 inches)

i have never kept julidochromis transcriptus but i do have julidochromis marlieri and just this morning i noticed the 2 that had paired off have had a batch of fry and they are protecting them rather nicley from the leptosoma its actually quite funny to watch

anyway all the fish you have mentioned should do just fine together and also be fine in a ph of 7.8 without any problems hope this all helps

 

[jennybugs]

Oooh, I've found this thread helpful as well. I'm going to convert a 15 gallon tank to these interesting little cichlids in a few weeks time

New to cichlids and especially shell dwellers but they look great little fish to keep to start me into the world of cichlids